Instant Messaging File Directory Transfer Automation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional instant messaging systems cannot automatically transfer files based on a file directory, requiring user intervention to send and receive files, and lack the ability to maintain the same file directory structure on the receiving end.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for file directory-based file transfer, where an IM client sends notification messages with folder names and locations to establish corresponding folders on the receiving client, allowing files to be transferred and stored under the same directory structure, using either direct P2P connections or relay servers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If conventional IM clients transfer files one by one through P2P connection, then file transfer can be established between sender and receiver, but automatic directory-based transfer cannot be achieved and user intervention is required for each file

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic file transferVSAvoiduser intervention required
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sender's IM client automatically sends notification messages containing directory structure information (folder names and location paths) before transferring files. The receiver's IM client pre-establishes the corresponding directory structure based on these notification messages, enabling automatic batch transfer without user intervention for each file

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The IM clients automatically manage the file transfer process including sending notification messages, establishing directory structures, and transferring files without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by automatically handling the entire directory-based transfer workflow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If conventional IM clients transfer files individually, then file transfer functionality is available, but the receiving client cannot automatically store files into an equivalent file directory structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirectory structure preservationVSAvoidautomatic directory establishment
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The receiver's IM client copies the sender's directory structure by creating equivalent folders and subfolders based on the location information provided in notification messages. This ensures the received files are stored in the same directory structure as the sender's original files

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The receiver's IM client pre-establishes the directory structure by creating folders before files are transferred. Notification messages containing folder names and location paths are processed in advance to build the equivalent directory structure, ensuring files can be stored in the correct locations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If multiple files are transferred through individual P2P connections, then file transfer can occur, but connection establishment costs increase and transfer efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefile transfer efficiencyVSAvoidconnection establishment time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple file transfers are merged into a single coordinated process. The sender's IM client sends notification messages for multiple folders and files in sequence, and the receiver's IM client establishes the directory structure once, enabling batch transfer without repeated connection establishment for each file

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2478445B1Method, apparatus and system for file transfer based on file directory
Publication Date: 2017.11.29 ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LTD
  • EP2478445B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2478445B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2478445B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a file directory-based file transfer method, apparatus and system to address the problem that conventional instant messaging (IM) systems cannot directly implement one-time transfer of an entire file directory. In one aspect, a the sending IM client sends files under root directories of one or more file folders under a file directory one file folder after another. Before sending files under a root directory of a respective file folder, the receiving IM client may send a notification message including a name of the respective file folder and location information of the respective folder under the file directory, and then send all files under the root directory of the respective file folder one-by-one. The receiving IM client establishes a file folder according to the received notification message, and stores files received after the notification message into a root directory of the established file folder.